I lost a dear friend this week.
Ethel Jane was 93 years young and still sharp as a tack. During our weekly visits, she never
ceased to amaze me by her knowledge and awareness of the world outside her window.
On Ethel Jane’s 91st birthday in 2009, my friends
and I threw her a little party, complete with hats and noisemakers. I gave Ethel Jane a history book about
the city of Amsterdam, her hometown.
My friend, Celia, made her a delicious chocolate cake. It was a huge hit; Ethel Jane talked
about that cake for weeks! My
friends, Karen and George, brought her little ice cream cups from Washburn’s
Dairy. Oh, how Ethel Jane loved
her ice cream!
Ever since that party, it was my job to keep Ethel Jane
stocked in ice cream cups from Washburn’s Dairy. I had to purchase three cases at a time: one case of chocolate, one of vanilla,
and one of strawberry. Of course,
Ethel Jane’s freezer was too small to store that much ice cream, so I kept it
in my large freezer for her. When
I’d come over for my weekly visit, I’d bring her enough cups to last until the
following week. “They’re the
perfect size, and the ice cream is delicious!” Ethel Jane would say.
Once in awhile, I’d misjudge the quantity and Ethel Jane would run out
of ice cream. When that happened,
she would call me on the phone.
Ethel Jane’s speech was difficult to understand, especially over the
phone, but I would eventually get the message that she needed more ice
cream!
Ethel Jane also loved candy, particularly chocolate
candy. Junior Mints were one of
her favorites, so I was always on the lookout for those miniature boxes, like
the kind that are sold at Halloween for trick-or-treaters. Ethel Jane’s eyes would light up when
she saw those little boxes of Junior Mints!
Last month just before Easter, I brought Ethel Jane a solid,
dark chocolate bunny from Fariello’s Confectionery. Whenever I brought her candy, she always insisted on eating
a piece or two of it immediately, even if it was close to dinnertime! So I wasn’t surprised when Ethel Jane
dug into her chocolate bunny right away.
I broke off a small piece for her, and then stored the rest in a Ziploc
bag. On my next visit, I noticed
that there were only a few chocolate crumbs left in that bag. Ethel Jane sure had a sweet tooth!
Most of the time I would find her asleep when I arrived. Not too long ago, though, Ethel Jane
surprised me. When I walked into
her room, there she was, propped up in bed with her reading glasses on, poring
over the history book I had given her at that long ago birthday party. I hadn’t seen Ethel Jane that perky in
some time! Sadly, that turned out
to be my last good visit with her.
When I stopped by the following week, Ethel Jane’s health had greatly
deteriorated.
Rest in peace, my friend. I will miss you!
“The gift of time we
cherish. The gift of life goes
fast. The gift of love will never
end as long as memories last.” ~Author Unknown
